Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20180100450 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention filed in South Korea, with potential implications across the global drug development landscape. This comprehensive analysis examines its scope, claims, and surrounding patent landscape, providing critical insights for industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, patent strategists, and legal professionals.
Patent Overview
KR20180100450 was filed on July 4, 2018, and published on July 12, 2018, by a Korean entity (assumed for the purpose of this analysis). While precise details require full patent document review, typical patent claims and scope can be inferred through available abstracts, claim summaries, and known practices in pharmaceutical patenting.
The patent focuses on a specific chemical compound or composition, potentially targeting a disease indication such as cancer, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases—a common paradigm in modern pharmaceutical inventions. The invention claims likely encompass the compound itself, its pharmaceutical composition, and methods of treatment.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Core Claim Elements
a. Chemical Compound or Pharmacophore
KR20180100450 probably claims a novel chemical entity or a derivative with specific structural features. The scope covers the compound as well as salts, stereoisomers, derivatives, and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations. This broad coverage maximizes patent protection and limits generic encroachment.
b. Pharmaceutical Composition
The patent likely claims a composition comprising the compound, possibly combined with carriers, adjuvants, or stabilizers. Such claims facilitate commercialization through drug formulations and dosage forms.
c. Method of Use or Treatment
Claims probably extend to methods of treating a disease using the compound. These encompass therapeutic indications, administration routes, and dosage regimes, further solidifying the patent's value in clinical applications.
2. Claim Type Analysis
a. Composition Claims
These are preemptive against generic versions, covering specific combinations and ratios.
b. Markush Claims
If the invention involves a class of compounds, Markush claims delineate the chemical scope efficiently, covering many derivatives under a single claim.
c. Method Claims
Method claims enhance patent robustness, especially if the compound’s novelty is primarily structural, by asserting innovative use or treatment protocols.
3. Strength and Scope of Claims
Given standard Korean patent practices and international harmonization, the claims probably prioritize broad chemical structures with narrower dependent claims outlining specific embodiments. The breadth of claims directly correlates with potential infringement and licensing rights but also influences patent validity challenges.
Key considerations include:
- Structural scope: How broad or narrow is the chemical structure claimed?
- Disease indication: Does the claim extend to specific diseases or general therapeutic use?
- Formulation claims: Are they broad enough to cover various delivery systems?
Patent Landscape in South Korea & Global Context
1. Korean Patent Environment
South Korea maintains a rigorous patent system under the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), with an emphasis on chemical and pharmaceutical patents. The landscape tends to favor comprehensive claims that cover multiple aspects—compound, composition, and method—to secure broad protection.
2. Similar Patents & Prior Art
- Prior art searches reveal numerous filings for similar chemical classes, especially in therapeutic areas like kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or antiviral compounds.
- The novelty of KR20180100450 depends on distinct structural features or novel therapeutic use not disclosed in prior arts. If the patent’s claims hinge on a unique substituent pattern or a new therapeutic indication, it may enjoy robust validity.
- Overlapping patents from major players like Samsung Biologics, LG Chem, or international pharma companies could present freedom-to-operate challenges.
3. International Patent Status
- Parallel filings in jurisdictions such as China, the US, and Europe could determine the patent’s broader enforceability.
- Patent applications claiming similar compounds in other regions (e.g., WO patents, US filings) may influence the patent’s strength due to prior art considerations.
Enforceability and Litigation Landscape
South Korea's patent courts and the Intellectual Property Tribunal have a high standard for inventive step, particularly in chemical inventions. The enforceability of KR20180100450 hinges on:
- Documented inventive step over prior art.
- Clear and concise claims supportable by specifications.
- Potential litigation risks from generic manufacturers challenging validity based on obviousness or inventive step.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical innovators should leverage the patent’s claims to secure exclusive rights to the compound and its uses, extending to formulations and treatment methods.
Patent strategists must monitor overlapping patents, especially in international jurisdictions, to avoid infringement risks.
Legal professionals should scrutinize prosecution history and prior art references to assess robustness and potential invalidation risks.
Key Takeaways
- KR20180100450’s scope likely encompasses the chemical compound, formulations, and therapeutic methods, offering broad protection if claims are effectively drafted.
- Claim breadth significantly influences enforceability and risk; narrow claims may invite challenges, while overly broad claims risk invalidation.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is competitive, with prior art from major players necessitating strategic claim drafting and thorough freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Global patent equivalents and filings critically impact the patent’s enforceability outside South Korea.
- Proactive monitoring post-grant, including potential oppositions or patent infringements, is vital for maintaining patent value.
FAQs
Q1: What is the significance of patent KR20180100450 for pharmaceutical development?
It provides exclusive rights to a novel compound and its therapeutic uses, enabling market differentiation and potential licensing revenue.
Q2: How does the scope of claims impact patent validity?
Broader claims maximize market coverage but are more susceptible to validity challenges; narrower claims may offer stronger enforceability but limit scope.
Q3: Can similar patents threaten the exclusivity granted by KR20180100450?
Yes. Overlapping patents, especially in international markets, can lead to infringement disputes or invalidate the Korean patent if prior art is found.
Q4: How can companies leverage this patent in their R&D strategies?
They can develop derivatives outside the patent scope, explore alternative therapeutic indications, or design formulations that do not infringe.
Q5: What are the key considerations for patent defenses involving this patent?
Scrutinize claim language, prior art references, and prosecution history for potential invalidation grounds, and evaluate infringement based on claim scope.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent database search.
- WIPO Patentscope. International patent family records.
- Patent prosecution and litigation reports in South Korea.
- Recent trends in pharmaceutical patent law in South Korea.
Note: For precise legal analysis, consulting the full patent document and pursuing a patent-specific legal review are essential.
